Reincarnated Into A World Of Elves As The Only Man-Chapter 62: Leaving Thornvale Kingdom

Eren turned without another word, moving with such sudden purpose that several nobles stepped back in alarm. His face remained an impassive mask, but something in his eyes had changed—a cold fire that hadn’t been there moments before.

He strode toward the grand entrance, not bothering to see if anyone followed. Behind him, his companions exchanged worried glances before hurrying after him, ceremonial garments rustling as they quickened their pace.

Queen Elena caught the shift immediately. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the Veilwalker’s retreating form, maternal instinct warring with royal composure. Commander Maria leaned close, her armor creaking softly.

"Something’s wrong," Maria whispered, hand already resting on her sword hilt.

Elena nodded once, her silver hair catching the light. "Clear the hall," she commanded. "Discreetly."

Maria straightened, assuming her authoritative stance. "Honored guests," she announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the vast chamber, "the Queen requests your presence in the eastern gardens where the ceremonial feast awaits. The Veilwalker requires a moment of solitude to commune with the elements awakened within him."

The explanation satisfied most, though several elder nobles exchanged knowing glances. The crowd began moving toward the garden paths, guided by palace guards who appeared with practiced timing.

Eren was already crossing the main courtyard, his midnight blue robes billowing around him like liquid shadows. Elena and Maria hastened after him, their footsteps nearly silent on the ancient stones.

"Veilwalker," Elena called, her voice carrying just far enough to reach his ears.

Eren paused but didn’t turn. The others in his company halted several paces behind, giving them space while remaining close enough to intervene if needed. Naia’s eyes never left her brother’s profile, her brow furrowed with concern.

"My chamber," Eren said, the words clipped and cold. "Not here."

He resumed walking without waiting for acknowledgment. Elena’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she followed, Commander Maria a half-step behind.

The door to Eren’s quarters sealed with a heavy thud behind them. The air still carried traces of the previous night’s ritual—sharp herbs and the faint metallic scent of blood magic. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, catching dust motes that danced in silent spirals.

"What did you see?" Elena demanded, royal pleasantries abandoned.

Eren’s gaze remained fixed on the distant mountains visible through his window. "It doesn’t concern Thornvale."

"Anything that disturbs the Veilwalker concerns Thornvale," Maria countered, her voice steady but tense.

"The visions that accompany element awakening can be disorienting," Elena said more gently. "Sharing them often clarifies their meaning."

Eren turned to face them, his expression revealing nothing of the apocalyptic images that still burned in his mind. "This was different. There’s no meaning to clarify."

Elena and Maria exchanged a glance—a silent conversation born of centuries together. With a subtle nod, the queen stepped back.

"Very well," she conceded. "I won’t press you further. But remember that allies who stand apart in times of darkness often fall separately."

Eren offered no response, his silence answer enough.

Commander Maria slipped silently from the room. Elena remained, her posture relaxed while her eyes remained sharp as cut crystal.

"You’re leaving," she stated simply.

"The next seal won’t wait," Eren replied.

"And your companions?"

"Their choice."

A soft knock interrupted them. The door opened to reveal Commander Maria, carrying an object wrapped in shimmering silk. She handed it to Elena with reverence before stepping back.

"In case you need our help, Veilwalker," Elena said, unwrapping the silk to reveal a pendant shaped like a perfect triangle. The material was unlike any Eren had seen before—darker than obsidian yet somehow luminous from within. "Place it on the ground and break it. We will come."

Eren accepted the pendant, weighing it in his palm. "You can communicate through my dreams. Why this stress?"

Elena’s mouth quirked up at one corner. "It’s... a long story." She brushed a strand of silver hair from her face, a rare gesture of uncertainty from the usually composed queen. "Let’s just say some dreams are better left undisturbed."

Eren tucked the pendant into an inner pocket of his robes and moved toward the door without further comment, his mind already charting the journey ahead.

Outside his chambers, his companions waited in tense silence. Naia and Lyra stood together, their similar features marked by different expressions of concern. Rose maintained perfect posture against the opposite wall, eyes forward and alert. Captain Diana and Elira checked their weapons with practiced movements, preparing for whatever might come.

They straightened as Eren emerged, falling in behind him without question as he strode down the corridor. The silence weighed heavy around them, broken only by the soft sounds of their footsteps on stone.

"Eren!"

The voice echoed down the hallway, bright and familiar. Eren stopped, turning to see Viva running toward him, silver-blue hair streaming wildly behind her. Her tunic slipped precariously off one shoulder as she ran, though she seemed entirely unconcerned by this fact.

"You forgot your twin blades!" she called, holding the weapons out before her, their curved edges gleaming dangerously in the corridor’s light.

Behind her walked the Lens twins and Mika, moving at a more dignified pace. The twins’ faces were mirror images of each other, brows knitted in identical expressions of concern.

"Make sure," they said in perfect unison, their voices creating that eerie harmony that had unnerved even Eren when he first heard it, "out of the elements you gain, always use earth first."

Eren regarded them coolly. "I will."

The twins stepped closer, their synchronized movements fluid as water. "Promise," they demanded together, four eyes boring into his with unusual intensity.

Eren hesitated, sensing something behind their insistence. "Promise," he replied, the word hanging in the air between them.

Mika shouldered past the twins, planting herself directly in Eren’s path. Her chin jutted forward defiantly, eyes blazing with challenge.

"Next time we see each other, I will be stronger even without TUNA," she declared, hands on her hips. "And I will make sure I make you eat the floor."

The corner of Eren’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "You wish."

His eyes shifted to Viva, who stood fidgeting with the hilt of one of his blades, uncharacteristically silent. "Don’t you have anything to say?" he asked.

Viva’s smile flashed too quickly. "No, I’m fine."

"Viva’s been going to the queen asking for advice on how to perform TUNA!" Mika burst out, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "She wants to learn how to teach others to perform with you, so they won’t stress you out." She dissolved into laughter that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Poor Viva!"

Eren glanced toward Elena, who still watched from the doorway of his chambers. The queen gave him a slight nod, confirming Mika’s words.

"I’m sorry," Eren said, his voice still cold.

Shocked silence fell over the group. Every face showed some degree of dismay—even Rose’s perfect composure faltered momentarily. Sadness flickered across several expressions, misunderstanding coloring their reactions.

"But you can’t wear those beautiful clothes and follow me," he continued, expression unchanged.

Viva’s face transformed, joy blooming across her features like sunrise breaking through storm clouds. She spun away without a word, disappearing down the corridor in a blur of silver-blue. In mere moments she returned, now carrying a bundle of travel clothes and a small pack slung over her shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispered to Mika as she passed, eyes shining with barely contained excitement.

Mika stood frozen, her face a tableau of warring emotions. "What are you saying?" she asked, voice suddenly small.

Viva’s smile gentled as she looked at her oldest friend. "Take care of my cat," she said simply, the words carrying the weight of all they’d shared.

They had nearly reached the transport boxes waiting in the outer courtyard when Mika’s voice cut through the silence.

"Viva, wait!"

Viva turned, only to be engulfed in Mika’s fierce embrace. The shorter elf clung to her friend with desperate strength, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

"You idiot," Mika whispered fiercely against Viva’s shoulder. "You absolute idiot."

Viva’s arms wrapped around her friend, her own tears falling unchecked. "I know."

"I’ll miss you so much," Mika said, her voice breaking.

A watery laugh escaped Viva. "I’ll be back before you know it."

Mika pulled back, her face streaked with tears she made no attempt to hide. "I—I think there’s water on my face," she said, the tremor in her voice betraying her attempt at nonchalance.

Viva smiled through her own tears, reaching out to brush a droplet from her friend’s cheek. "Looks like rain."

"Veilwalker," Mika said suddenly, turning to face Eren directly. Her tears still flowed, but her eyes burned with fierce determination. "Protect Viva. If not, I will kill you myself."

Eren’s expression remained cold, but he inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment—the closest thing to a promise Mika was likely to receive.

As they departed, the weight of both farewell and purpose settled around them, the future uncertain but unavoidable.